UKC

British Mountain Guides Open Day 2008

The British Association of Mountain Guides, BMG, is to hold an Open Day at Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig North Wales on Saturday 7th June 2008.

This day is aimed at promoting the mountain guiding profession as a career and explaining the BMG training scheme.
It is open to alpinists who would like to find out more about mountain guiding as a career.
This is a great opportunity not only to meet the BMG Training officer and the guides involved in the training scheme, but also to get to know BMG guides who can assist you on your road to becoming an IFMGA guide.

The BMG was formed in 1975 and is a full member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA) representing twenty two countries in all. The IFMGA sets the standards for training of guides worldwide and the IFMGA badge worn by guides has become the assurance of the highest professional and technical standards.
Guides working in the European Alps are legally obliged to become a member of the IFMGA. The completion of the BMG training scheme entitles a guide to become a member of the IFMGA.

The life of a mountain guide can be very demanding and it is important from the outset that we attract the right calibre of climbers and mountaineers who would like to join the BMG and become a member of the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA).

All participants for this open day must having extensive British and Alpine climbing and mountaineering experience and have a genuine interest in guiding as a career. This day should be of particular interest to experienced alpinists and MIC holders who have alpine experience.
The pre requirements for joining the BMG training scheme are that you should have completed approximately 50 routes of E1/5b, a similar amount of British Winter routes at Grade IV/V and have completed about 20 alpine routes of which 10 must be TD and 5 of these 10 should be of a mixed nature around 1000m in length. Experience in the greater ranges is also accepted. You should also have logged about 30 days ski touring. Please consult the BMG website (www.bmg.org.uk) for a complete list of entry requirements.
Do not worry if you haven’t yet achieved this level of experience as part of the open day is to give you advice on how best to attain these pre requisites. You should however expect to be able to meet these pre requirements within the next 5 years. If in doubt send in an application and we will advise you.

Programme (subject to change):
Saturday 7th June 2008
9.30 Assemble in main lecture theatre at PyB Tea/Coffee
9.45 Introduction and Outline for the Day
10.00 The BMG Training and Assessment Scheme, presentation by Richard Mansfield (BMG training officer)
11.00 How to meet the pre requirements talk by Terry Ralphs
11.30 “An Aspirant’s Point of View” talk by Dave Hollinger
11.45 Questions
12.00 Lunch (provided by BMG)
13.00 Outdoor practical sessions. A chance to climb with experienced BMG Guides, discuss the training scheme and any guiding/instruction techniques. Crag Venue tba, depending on conditions.
18.45 Informal drink at PyB bar
19.00 Dinner at PyB (provided by BMG)
20.00 Lecture:- “The Guiding Year” by Mac MacKay (BMG President). Open to public

Sunday is a day where by you might like to stay in North Wales and climb with the other participants.
This is a great chance to form new friendships and potentially an exciting step into a new career.

As it is important to get some idea of numbers for this event, and a clear idea of your ability, please use the application form which can be downloaded from the BMG website www.bmg.org.uk/news.html
or by contacting the BMG office: BMG, Siabod Cottage, Capel Curig LL24 0ES. Email: guiding@bmg.org.uk website: www.bmg.org.uk
Tel 01690 720386, Fax 01690 720248

There is a small charge of £30 to cover lunch evening meal and all presentations / activities on this day. This is to be paid when you application is successful.

Application forms must be submitted by email or post by the 10th May 2008. You will then be contacted with further information before the 24th May. If you need further information please contact the BMG office